Dear Countryside Lover,

We are writing to ask for your support in helping to stop the sale by Worthing Council of YOUR Downland – the Downland on the slopes running up to Cissbury Ring from the edge of Worthing.

DOWNLAND WHERE WE SHOULD ROAM FREE

These are the fields and little copses we walk with our children up to the Ring. These are the fields where we walk our dogs and meet our neighbours. These are the slopes where we blackberry, and picnic, and watch birds – Buzzards and Skylarks, and the Swallows and Warblers that rest and feed-up on the Cissbury Downs on their long spring and autumn journeys to and from the African Tropics.

This Council owned land at Cissbury is in two bits. One bit comprises a mile and a half along the ridge of Tenant Hill between Charmandean and Cissbury Ring. The other bit comprises three quarters of a mile of Downland on Mount Carvey, between Findon Valley and Cissbury Ring.

Sadly, Worthing councillors have forgotten the public purposes for which this Downland was acquired. It is our job to remind them: -

THIS LAND WAS ACQUIRED BY THE COUNCIL MANY YEARS AGO TO PROTECT IT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF WORTHING PEOPLE.

Way back then, the Council played a central role in helping the National Trust buy Cissbury Ring itself – the Iron Age Hill Fort and its Stone Age flint mines and ancient wildlife. The Council also donated part of Highdown Hill to the National Trust.

Now they just see their own Downland as a ‘piggy bank’ to raise a bit of money. They are asking a mere £200,000 for the Mount Carvey land, whose real value is PRICELESS.

This land is to Worthing what Council-owned Beachy Head is to Eastbourne, or Stanmer Park is to Brighton. It is our GREEN LUNG.

NO NEED TO SELL

There is lots of money available to Worthing to help them enhance this land. A special scheme to help farmers care for the environment is now available to Local Councils. It is called Higher Level Stewardship (HLF). The new National Park will help Worthing with their expertise. The National Trust will be interested in working in partnership for this enhancement, which will also benefit their property at Cissbury Ring. There are budgets available for enhancing public recreation and conserving special wildlife.

For loads more information about Cissbury Ring and nearby Downland Click.